The Samaritan Inn Report - December 23, 2008

Posted by Marc A. Sparks in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Dec 23, 2008

 
 
The Samaritan Inn
Collin County's only homeless shelter
 
 
Director's Report
Week 52/2008 December 23, 2008 

There are 102 residents, 28 are children.

Weekly Statistics:   
 
Intakes:  9
Graduates: 3
Exits:  6

Program Notes
Christmas is an incredible time of the year at The Samaritan Inn and we continually count our blessings as gifts come to our program.
 
A huge thank you: to all of the students at Puster Elementary School in the Lovejoy School District and Malvern Elementary in the McKinney Independent School District for their recent fundraisers to benefit the Inn. Little Saints Pre-School and Centennial Montessori both had food and paper good drives for us and the journalism department at McKinney High School also made a contribution.
 
The Business Affairs staff at UTD, led by Dr. Calvin Jamison, purchased a new television for our playroom and a variety of children's DVD's.
 
Christ Church in Plano had an angel tree for us, St. Peter's Episcopal parishioners knitted 60 hats and 60 pairs of mittens, Texas Instruments employees provided gift cards, MasterTech in Plano repaired our van at no cost, the Calmoseptine Company made a donation that will cover our January utility bill and an anonymous donor sent 30 poinsettias our way to brighten the resident's rooms.
 
So many people have come and gone this week with a variety of donations and we are grateful to each and every one.
Story of the Week
 
The Samaritan InnTwo years ago Deb, a single mother of an 11 year old girl, came to The Samaritan Inn after being evicted from her Plano apartment.  A lengthy illness cost her her job and she had no savings to fall back on.
 
"It was humiliating," Deb told me, "they piled all of our stuff out on the front lawn." 
 
Deb's daughter's teacher told her about The Samaritan Inn and gave them a ride over; fortunately, there was an opening on Family Wing 2.  Deb was anxious and depressed and so was her daughter.  Her caseworker immediately arranged for counseling for both of them.  Deb was seriously beaten down; she was nervous, very quiet and rarely looked anyone in the eye.  She confessed to feeling like a failure as a mother because she lost her child's home.  It was a long struggle for Deb, but every month she appeared to be feeling more confident.  She started working in the truffle program and took great pride in helping the Inn raise money.  She found a job, she saved her money, she bought a car and one year after her arrival, she rented a small house in Plano and moved out.
 
We still hear from Deb from time to time, she now has a new job with excellent
benefits and her daughter is flourishing. "Straight A's and in the choir!" Deb tells us.
 
But the story isn't over, today, in my office mailbox I found a Christmas card from Deb. It said:  "I'll never forget that The Samaritan Inn gave me my life back, now I want to join in the cause"; enclosed was a $100 bill.
 
And that our wonderful friends and supporters, is Christmas personified-a gift, pure and simple, that once received, is passed along.
Sincerely,
 
Lynne Sipiora
Lynne Sipiora
The Samaritan Inn
8 days left in 2008!
front road sign 
 
 
 
 

 Thrift Store

103 E. Univertsity Dr.
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 547-5567
 
All Christmas items are on sale at 75% off this week.  Come by the purple building and save with 50% off clothing, toys and wall art.

Remember, the last day to make a donation to the Thrift Store and receive a tax receipt for 2008 will be December 31st until 2:00pm.
 
HOLIDAY HOURS:
December 24    9am- 4pm 
December 25    CLOSED
December 31    9am - 4pm
January 1         CLOSED 
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All of The Samaritan Inn staff and residents wish you a joyous and blessed holiday!
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